NEW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO HELP HOMELESS IN ABBOTSFORD

September 29th, 2008

ABBOTSFORD – The Province and the City of Abbotsford have agreed to create up to 100 new supportive housing units on two city-owned sites, with construction to commence in 2009, Minister of Housing and Social Development Rich Coleman and Mayor George F. Ferguson announced today.

“This agreement between the Province and the City of Abbotsford will create much-needed housing with integrated support services,” said Coleman. “Partnerships like this - where a city contributes land and the Province funds development costs - ensure construction can begin as soon as possible on new supportive housing for people most in need.”

“The City of Abbotsford recognizes the need for more supportive housing in our community and we are ready to move forward on these city-owned sites,” said Ferguson. “We’re pleased to partner with the Province to create new supportive housing to help break the cycle of homelessness in Abbotsford.”

Properties at 3106 Clearbrook Road and 2323 Emerson Street are proposed for housing units for low-income singles who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Each development will have 30 to 50 self-contained units and space for supportive services. A proposal call seeking non-profit housing organizations to manage and operate the housing, and plans for support services, will be issued this fall by the Province.

“Stable and affordable housing is the first step to making a real difference in the lives of people who are homeless,” said Abbotsford-Mount Lehman MLA Michael de Jong. “The on-site support services will further assist tenants with stabilizing their lives by connecting them with appropriate social and health services.”

Construction is expected to start in 2009. The city approval process will be consistent with established policies and practices for development permit applications. There will be public consultation on the projects, as well as formal public hearings on the applications. The Province has agreed to arrange for the buildings’ capital and operating funding. Building costs are estimated to be around $20 million.

The Province’s contribution to pay for development costs is part of the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, which has committed to the creation of more than 4,000 new and upgraded supportive housing units across B.C. The Province’s agreement with Abbotsford follows similar memoranda of understanding to expedite up to 1,200 units in Vancouver, up to 170 units in Victoria, up to 140 units in Kelowna and up to 106 units in Surrey. Budget 2008 increased the amount the Province invests in affordable housing and shelters to more than $380 million a year, more than three times as much as in 2001.

Details on this initiative can be found at:
http://www.bchousing.org/programs/MOU

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BACKGROUNDER
NEW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR ABBOTSFORD

The memorandum of understanding between the Province and the City of Abbotsford commits to the construction of up to 100 units of new social and supportive housing in Abbotsford. The new housing developments are proposed for two sites: Clearbrook Road and Emerson Street.

Sites

The sites at 3106 Clearbook Road and 2323 Emerson Street are city-owned and will require rezoning.
Both sites are currently vacant.
New construction will provide 30 to 50 self-contained units of supportive housing on each site, with space for support services.
The Province will issue a proposal call this fall to select non-profit housing organizations to operate the developments.
The City will lease the sites to the successful proponents for a nominal fee for 60 years.
The City will exempt the sites from property taxes as long as they continue to provide housing and support services for people who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness.
The buildings will be designed to LEED Gold Certification or equivalent standards.

Process

Memorandum of understanding signed by the Province and the City on September 29, 2008.
The Province will pay all costs to design the housing through to the issuing of development and building permits, including consultant fees and disbursements for the two sites.
The Province will seek funding for capital and operating costs.
The City will provide the land for redevelopment.
The City will designate a staff member to ensure the municipal approval process is expedited.
Community consultation will include public information meetings and formal public hearings through the approvals process.

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Media contacts:
Patricia Lusic
BC Housing
604-456-8895
604-314-1458 (cell)

Tracy Klassen
City of Abbotsford
604-864-5586

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